Resembling a whimsical copper castle, the National Music Centre in Calgary delivers an engaging exploration of Canadas vibrant musical history. Discover rotating exhibits, iconic artifacts—like the guitar The Guess Who used to record American Woman—and interactive displays that bring music to life. Hone your skills on drums, electric guitar, or in a professional sound-recording studio, and craft your own instruments. Must-sees include the innovative Body Phonic room and the solar-powered Skywalk

As you step into Chichén Itzá, El Castillo—also known as the Pyramid of Kukulcán—stands majestically before you. The original pre-Toltec temple dates to around AD 800, but the current 25m-high structure, built atop it, showcases plumed serpents sculpted along the stairways and Toltec warriors carved above the doorway. Climbing is prohibited following a fatal accident in 2006, so the upper carvings remain out of view.This architectural marvel functions as a massive stone Maya calendar. Each of it

Discover the magnificent Cliff Palace, North Americas largest cliff dwelling, exclusively via an hour-long ranger-guided tour. Retrace the Ancestral Puebloans paths down a stone stairway and four 10-foot ladders. This engineering marvel features 217 rooms and 23 kivas, sheltering 250-300 people. Reserve tickets in person up to two days in advance.Cliff Palace residents had no running water but relied on springs across the canyon below Sun Temple. Their masonry, using small chinking stones betwee

Waiʻanapanapa State Park, meaning glistening waters in Hawaiian, boasts crystal-clear mineral pools in ancient lava caves that offer a refreshing, natural cleanse. Overlooking Pāʻiloa Bay, a dramatic natural lava arch rises on the right, flanked by rugged rocky cliffs. Follow the scenic coastal trail lined with ancient lava stepping stones to a powerful blowhole. Two impressive lava-tube caves await just a five-minute walk from the parking lot.The park has no restaurants, markets, or vendors on-

The Athabasca Glaciers tongue stretches from the Columbia Icefield to within easy walking distance of the road opposite the Icefield Centre. Access it on foot or by Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle. It has retreated about 2 km since 1844, when it reached the rock moraine north of the road. Reach the toe via the 1.8 km Forefield Trail from the Icefield Centre, followed by the 1 km Toe of the Glacier Trail. Park at the start of the latter trail for convenience.You may stand on the small roped ice

Pronounced oosh-mahl, Uxmal captivates with its grand scale and distinctive Puuc-style architecture, appealing to archaeology enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Standout features include the uniquely elliptical Pyramid of the Magician, the House of the Pigeons with its intact, ornate roof comb, and the sprawling Governors Palace. A highlight of the Puuc region, its an essential visit in Yucatán.The Puuc region—meaning hills in Maya—offers gentle elevations up to 100 meters, breaking the monotony o

Completed in 1977, the New River Gorge Bridge ranks as the third-highest bridge in the U.S. and the longest single-arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Built with 22,000 tons of structural steel, it towers 876 feet above the New River and spans 3,030 feet across the gorge. Capture stunning views from the overlooks behind the Canyon Rim Visitor Center or experience it up close on a guided Bridgewalk tour.On Bridge Day—the annual festival held the third Saturday in October—the bridge welcomes pe

Perched at the eastern edge of the vibrant Plaza Tapatía, the Instituto Cultural de Cabañas stands as one of Guadalajaras premier architectural treasures and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. Inside the neoclassical Capilla Mayor (Main Chapel), gaze up at the dome adorned with extraordinary modernist murals by José Clemente Orozco—among his finest creations and Guadalajaras must-see attractions. The institute also showcases 340 additional Orozco works alongside pieces from Mexicos leading

Discover Boldt Castle, a lavish turn-of-the-century mansion on Heart Island in the St. Lawrence River, just 25 km from Gananoque. Located in the U.S., a valid passport is required for your visit. Built by George C. Boldt, original proprietor of New York Citys iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel, this architectural gem draws visitors worldwide.Many Thousand Islands cruise tours include a stop here. Alternatively, drive 23 km from Gananoque to Alexandria Bay, NY, USA, and take a 10-minute shuttle across

The Horseshoe Falls form the stunning centerpiece of any Niagara visit. This iconic 670-meter curved marvel holds the highest flow rate of any North American waterfall. hurtling at 65 km/h, over 2,574 kiloliters of water per second thunder into the churning Maid of the Mist Pool. The powerful turquoise waters captivate all who behold them. For the ultimate viewpoint, head to Table Rock, mere meters from the brink—arrive early in summer to secure your spot amid the crowds.Capture a breathtaking b

Even among Hawaiis natural wonders, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is extraordinary. It features two active volcanoes that illustrate the islands ongoing formation: the massive, quiet Mauna Loa (13,679 ft) dominating the skyline, and Kīlauea (4,091 ft), one of the worlds most active volcanoes, offering frequent spectacles.The park closed briefly during the 2018 Lower Puna eruption, after which lava flows stopped. Today, it is fully accessible—though conditions can change rapidly with volcanic a

No trip to Maui is complete without a visit to Haleakalā National Park, home to the dormant volcano that shaped East Maui. Its vast crater measures 7.5 miles wide, 2.5 miles long, and 3,000 feet deep—nearly the size of Manhattan. Stunning rim views reveal a dramatic, lunar-like landscape. In the southeast, the lush Kipahulu district features cascading waterfalls. These two areas are not connected by road and require separate visits.The summit district is accessible via Haleakalā Highway; Kipahul

Spanning 527 square miles, Canyonlands National Park is Utahs largest and wildest protected area. Its extreme terrain rivals the planets most rugged landscapes, showcasing dramatic arches, bridges, needles, spires, craters, mesas, and buttes—a stunning display of Earths ancient geology.The park features four distinct districts divided by the Green and Colorado Rivers: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and Horseshoe Canyon. Each requires independent access, as no roads connect them.Moab i

Nestled amid expansive gardens 4 km northwest of Xalapas city center, this world-class museum houses Mexicos second-largest archaeological collection. It spotlights major pre-Hispanic Gulf Coast cultures—including the Olmecs, Totonacs, Huastecs, and Classic Veracruz—with exquisitely displayed artifacts arranged chronologically across interconnected galleries descending a lush hillside.The collections immense scale and diversity complement the museums intricate layout. Highlights include the worl

Located partly within the Lorraine Motel, site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s assassination on April 4, 1968, the National Civil Rights Museum offers a profound, immersive experience. Its exhibits trace the African American fight for freedom and equality from slaverys origins through the Civil Rights Movement, using Kings life, legacy, and death as lenses to examine its history and ongoing influence.The motels iconic turquoise facade and two preserved rooms appear frozen in time from that tragic

Unlike any other Maya site in Yucatán, Calakmul was discovered in 1931 by botanist Cyrus Lundell. Deep in the jungle, far from civilization, it rivals Guatemalas Tikal in size and Classic-era dominance over the southern lowlands. Home to over 50,000 people, it boasts Mexicos largest and tallest Yucatán pyramid.Of its 72 sq km and ~6,000 structures, a central area is restored, while most remain jungle-covered. In 2004, intact painted murals at Estructura 1s Chiik Naab acropolis depicted rare ever

At 13,796 feet (4,207 meters) elevation, Mauna Keas summit rises above 40% of Earths atmosphere and 90% of its water vapor—creating ideal conditions for the worlds largest collection of advanced telescopes. These gleaming structures dot the stark volcanic landscape like a futuristic outpost, capturing cosmic data from exceptionally clear skies.This international hub, akin to a United Nations of astronomy, features collaborations from multiple nations: Taiwan and the USA operate the Submillimeter

The National Gallery of Canada is an architectural masterpiece in its own right. Its striking pink granite and glass spires echo the ornate copper-topped towers of the nearby Parliament buildings. Inside, expansive vaulted galleries house the worlds largest collection of Canadian art—classic and contemporary—including exceptional works by Inuit and other Indigenous artists. Additional galleries feature renowned European and American masterpieces, with interpretive panels guiding visitors through

The builders of this grand pre-Hispanic city, once home to around 20,000 people (Totonacs? Huastecs?), remain a mystery, leading archaeologists to call it Classic Veracruz culture. Dating to circa AD 800 and serendipitously found in 1785, El Tajín ranks among Mesoamericas most evocative, intact, and meticulously excavated sites. Just 7km from Papantla, reach the expansive ruins via frequent buses (M$20).Covering about 10 sq km, the site demands at least two hours for its highlights. Shade is sca

Chautauqua Park, a cherished historic landmark in Boulder, Colorado, serves as the primary gateway to expansive open spaces adjacent to the iconic Flatirons. Its vast, lush lawns are a magnet for picnicking families, sunbathers, Frisbee players, and students from the nearby University of Colorado Boulder. Hikers, climbers, and trail runners flock here too, though its popularity often means limited parking. During summer weekends, the City of Boulder provides a free shuttle service from downtown